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SPOKANE VALLEY FIRE DEPARTMENT LAUNCHES SOUND OFF PROGRAM IN AREA SCHOOLS
For Immediate Release:
October 28, 2021
Contact:
Julie Happy
Community Affairs Manager
Spokane Valley Fire Department
509.892.4155
Meri-K Appy
National Project Manager
202.412.5387
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SPOKANE VALLEY FIRE DEPARTMENT LAUNCHES SOUND OFF PROGRAM IN AREA SCHOOLS
STATE FIRE MARSHAL’S OFFICE RECEIVES FEMA GRANT FOR SCHOOL PROGRAM
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Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) is one of several local Fire Agencies that received FEMA grant monies for smoke alarms and other materials from the State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO). The smoke alarms and educational materials are part of the Sound Off Program providing education to area elementary school children on how to stay safe from fire. SVFD Firefighters will be in schools this week and next throughout the Spokane Valley Fire Department Fire District sharing fire safety education.
“The Sound Off Program teaches children in grades 2-3 how to stay safe from fire,” said SVFD Fire Marshal, Greg Rogers. “Additionally, it provides home safety visits to install free smoke alarms in homes that need them.”
The Sound Off Program is with The Home Fire Safety Patrol, a school-based fire safety program created through grants to the Michigan Public Health Institute (MPHI), a non-profit organization.
Washington joins six other states including Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Vermont. State teams will distribute free smoke alarms provided by the grant to install in student and other high-risk homes without working smoke alarms.
Spokane Valley Fire Department is extremely proud to be a part of this program that helps educate and create a safe community for children and their families,” said SVFD Community Risk Reduction (CRR) Specialist, Caroline Kusher. “This program upholds CRR practices and promotes fire safe communities as a way of life for everyone.
“Because of Spokane Valley Fire’s excellent work in introducing Sound Off into the local school system this year, MPHI has chosen them to serve as one of 6 jurisdictions, to help develop Sound Off Online,” says Meri-K Appy, National Project Manager. “Funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/FEMA, this new all-virtual platform will help firefighters and teachers work together to deliver important Sound Off lessons to kids and families across the U.S., free of charge.”

About Spokane Valley Fire Department
The Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) serves a population of 125,000+ over 75-square miles, including the cities of Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake and Millwood, as well as surrounding unincorporated areas. In 2020, our cross-trained Firefighter/EMTs and Firefighter/Paramedics responded to more than 18,700 emergency calls.
Established in 1940, SVFD is committed to pursuing excellence and is distinguished as an accredited agency by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI), and by SVFD’s Class 2 fire insurance rating from the Washington Survey and Rating Bureau
Connect with SVFD at: spokanevalleyfire.com. For department news, safety information, and timely updates, find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
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Did you Know?
- You can sign up for a station tour. Great for small groups.
- You should replace the batteries in your smoke alarms twice a year.
- Creating a defensible space with regards to wildfires could just save your home or property.
- We have Friends & Family CPR classes every month.